One Piece Devouring Fruit

Feeling the metallic taste of blood in his mouth and the searing pain between his teeth, Cabron was driven nearly mad by the intense pain.

“You brat!! You’re dead! I’m going to kill you!!!”

Cabron, his mouth filled with shattered teeth, couldn’t even finish his threat before the weapon in his hand was snatched away by a powerful grip. The red aura enveloped their arm and swiftly disarmed him.

Suddenly, Cabron’s world turned upside down, and waves of excruciating pain washed over him.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Michion, surrounded by a glowing aura, repeatedly slammed Cabron onto the deck like a rag doll. The already battered deck, weakened by the naval bombardment, shattered further with each violent impact of Cabron’s body.

Cabron’s head turned to mush under the relentless pounding, his body and consciousness fading into a blank void.

Taking a deep breath, Michion channelled all his strength into his right fist, enhanced by the red aura, and delivered a final, devastating blow to Cabron’s head.

—Crack!

With a crisp sound of bones breaking, the pirate captain Cabron was decisively killed by Michion. As Cabron died, a faint snake-like shadow briefly appeared around the aura surrounding Michion, then quickly disappeared.

“That was a physical boost, not bad,” Michion mused, feeling a small surge of energy from his Ouroboros. Although subtle and barely noticeable, Michion could distinctly perceive the increase in his physical strength.

The less powerful opponents no longer provided significant feedback; only those with substantial strength or exceptional talents in certain areas could contribute to his growth. Despite the randomness of the attributes gained, the process intrigued him.

During his experiments on Boing Island, Michion discovered that enhancements to his physique and spirit were rare. Each boost in physical attributes enhanced his overall capacity, making his body more capable of growth as if an unknown energy was being accumulated. Though he couldn’t control it yet, Michion suspected this latent power might be linked to Armament Haki, considering its association with physical strength.

While his Observation Haki training progressed well, Armament Haki remained a concept he had yet to grasp fully. Increases in mental attributes sharpen his senses, suggesting a potential link to Observation Haki or Conqueror’s Haki.

However, these boosts were far less frequent than increases in strength or speed, making them a rare but valuable occurrence. Regardless, Michion focused on becoming more robust, knowing that increased strength would help him master Haki more easily.

While Michion stood contemplatively beside Cabron’s lifeless body, the remaining pirates, shocked by their captain’s death, momentarily froze. This lapse allowed Tina and the others to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses and gain the upper hand.

Surrounded by the smell of burnt wood and blood, Michion showed no discomfort over the enemy he had just brutally killed. He had long accepted the harsh realities of this world and the battlefield, knowing that survival required relentless effort.

Unlike the typical scenes of nausea after a first kill, Michion’s past as a surgeon had already desensitised him to such sights. As his comrades fought nearby, Michion maintained his position, vigilant for any signs of danger.

“Hey, Michion, why do you fight so violently? You don’t look like the type for such a brutal fighting style,” Tina remarked, having just defeated her opponent. She glanced at the broken body of the unfortunate pirate captain at Michion’s feet.

“Yeah, Michion, you fought like a real man out there. You usually seem so graceful, but in battle, it’s like you become a different person. I’m an animal-type, yet you’re even more ferocious than I am,” added the little tiger girl, Sola, who had just finished her fight and bounced over to join them.

Since Michion had saved Sola’s life, she had become his loyal follower. Hearing Tina’s comment, she couldn’t help but agree. “Your support abilities are crying right now, damn it! You should be staying in the back as a quiet, handsome guy, cheering us on! Now you’re this aggressive? Who’s the real animal-type here, anyway?” Sola thought to herself.

“I just use the easiest way to deal with my opponents,” Michion replied with a gentle smile. His refined and scholarly demeanour made it hard to believe he had just been a berserker moments ago.

After landing a punch on Cabron’s jaw in the previous fight, Michion grabbed his arm to prevent an attack, then overpowered him with his red aura. Seeing Cabron’s inferior strength, Michion decisively used brute force to finish him off.

This “don’t hesitate, just go for it” battle style contrasted sharply with Michion’s usual demeanor. However, beneath his composed exterior, a primal thrill for battle was awakened, fueling his enjoyment of combat.

Of course, if Tina and Sola knew Michion’s thoughts, they would likely tease him: “You’re just a battle maniac, trying to sound poetic won’t hide your true nature.”

Michion didn’t see himself as a battle maniac, though. He simply found joy in fighting and, of course, eating. As a lone gourmet with decent cooking skills, he often prepared meals, mainly Chinese cuisine. His comrades frequently joined him for meals, drawn by the novelty of his dishes. In group gatherings, Michion usually took on the role of head chef.

So, it wasn’t just his good looks that attracted many future female Marines but also his exceptional culinary skills. However, honestly, his looks played a significant part in it.

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